Now Bill visits pubs in Kegworth

Elizabeth and William Hopewell in front of the New Inn with their family in the 19th Century.

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A HISTORICAL walk around Kegworth provided the inspiration for the latest in a series of pub books from Bill Wells – and he’s hoping it will go down well.

Bill, who has already had a book about Loughborough’s books published, has now released Billy’s Book of Kegworth Boozers.

“It’s been in the making probably for two years,” Bill told Looking Back.

“It came from a Kegworth pub walk, I went on one with Sheila Sharpe and after the walk I thought there’s a book here. I spoke to Sheila and Kegworth Village Association and Museum, we had a meeting and it went from there.

“I got a lot of help and information from the group but I’ve also done a lot of research through trade directories and the like to come up with dates of when they opened and closed.

“Over the years there have been 24 pubs or rebuilds or name changes. Now there are four, including The Otter.

“I also found lots of anecdotes from newspapersover the years and from the group. One surprise was the story about the lion that was left!”

One of Bill’s first orders came from a family in Sweden who are also mentioned in the book, Bengt and Agneta Ahlstrom, who are regular visitors to the village and have shared their own memories of visiting its pubs over the years.

The book is available in A5 in black and white and in colour, where possible, in A4.

It costs £7 and can be purchased from Bill by calling 01509 267123 or Dovecote Press on 01509 218414.

As usual, Bill will donate any money he makes from sales to the Patients Fund at Osborne House at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

• Do you have any memories of pubs in our area? Please call the Looking Back desk on 01509 635811.